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		Europe pushing up 'Back to school' cost Monday, 3rd September 2007 Poll shows Londoners want less tax from Europe on imports London, 3rd September 2007 -- As London families prepare for the usual 'back to school' layouts on new uniforms, gym kit and stationery, a London MEP has today published a poll showing Britons want to buy low cost clothes, regardless of where they are imported from in the world. Just 17 percent of British people believe, as members of the EU, that they have an obligation to protect the businesses of fellow Europeans, while 76 per cent believe the Government has a moral obligation to promote trade with people in poorer countries. Yet the extent to which European legislation affects the price of clothes seems not to have registered, even though the EU's average tariff on clothes is 20% and extra taxes apply to shoes imported from China. The poll of over 500 Londoners commissioned by Syed Kamall showed a mere 1 per cent of Londoners think European legislation most affects the price we pay for clothes. They point instead to high street competition and fashion as the main factors influencing the price of clothing. 66 per cent see no difference between how goods from other western countries like America should be taxed compared to goods from EU countries like Italy. Two-thirds say extra 'green' taxes should not be levied on goods imported from rich and poor distant countries, and 62 percent believe promoting trade links is more important than placing taxes on imports from afar to counter the effects of climate change. Mr Kamall, who is Conservative international trade spokesman in the European Parliament, said: "This poll confirms Londoners want both the UK and the EU to be more open to both rich and poor countries outside Europe. London is a global city that wants to trade freely with the world, not just the EU. "The 'back to school' rush can often be expensive for London families who have to fork out huge amounts of money for new uniforms and gym kits. Many people think the high street determines the price of these goods, but often the European Union plays a role in pushing up the prices too. "Londoners understand the benefits globalisation has brought them: cheaper products, more choice and new technologies. They want to embrace global markets, rather than be protected from them. "The European Union's policy towards poorer countries is duplicitous; on one hand we are the world's biggest aid donor, but on the other we impose high taxes and strict technical standards on their exports. Clearly there is public support for more open trade around the world, which brings benefits to consumers and creates better jobs at home while lifting poorer nations out of the poverty trap".